Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

326. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in part-time employment is being pursued by Turas Nua. [2409/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed, including those working part time and those at risk of becoming long-term unemployed, to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. All jobseekers over one year on the Live Register are eligible for selection for the JobPath service and clients are chosen by means of a random selection process.

Customers referred to JobPath who are also working part-time will have all activities including meetings with their personal advisor scheduled around their work commitments and the JobPath contractors are required to be flexible in the provision of the service in that respect.

The person in question was working part-time when referred to the JobPath service in December 2017. He attended a Joint Information Session in January 2018 where he was assigned a Personal Advisor and agreed a Personal Progression Plan. He was advised that his appointments would be scheduled for days on which he was not working and should he be contacted to work at short notice he should inform Turas Nua immediately and his appointments would be re-scheduled. Turas Nua have accommodated this client and re-scheduled his appointments on a number of occasions so far.

JobPath provides an intensive personal service which focuses on the skills and experience of each person. As this client is already in part-time employment the focus may be on options or opportunities to increase the level of employment in his current role, or look at possibilities in other areas, which may also involve some training, but could provide a more sustainable income and a move away from jobseekers payments. Therefore, it is important that he continues to attend all his meetings.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.